Long ride: Preparations?

[zeocen]

As you are riding with your dad, presumably a more experienced rider, discuss with him what you want to acheive on the ride, learning etc that comes with a new experience, as everyone has said, do all the checks on the bike, make sure you have the required gear, take your time and DON"T rush, those roads are busy this time of year

Yeah, he's discussed the route we're gonna take for less traffic and better roads.. he's stressing that we'll be taking multiple breaks even though I don't think I'll need *that* many ;P But he's the one with 30 years riding and only one off under his belt, so I'll take his advice.

Gonna go test the tire pressure and adjust it accordingly tomorrow night then it's off the next day! Exciting for me, probably just another walk in the park for many people here

[Squeak the Rat]

Thre best preparation for a long ride is: H

[Hitcher]

Please not the sheepskin thing, it may look cool on ummmmmmmmm small Viagra cruisers

The comment of a saddle virgin. A sheepskin adds about 500km extra comfort to a decent day's ride or a series of long day rides.

[TLDV8]

Check your bike the night before, lights, indicators, oil, chain etc.
Lots of rest the night before.
Ride your own ride, don't be tempted to push yourself too hard, because your old man might be bored...

Relax and stay focused, if you feel your concentration slipping , pull over for a break.
Last, but not least, enjoy

*

There is also the option of gassing it up and packing it the night before so it is warm it up and go the next morning with no distractions or what if's.
It might help keep your mild on the ride and not...Did i check the doo da etc.

One thing i have started doing after reading it on KB is to lube the chain after a ride instead of before heading out when it is cold.

[zeocen]

Everything is dandy from this end, and unbelievably when I look out my window I see absolutely no wind, or clouds. What a stunner of a day, I hope it keeps up, I'll be leaving in about an hour.

What a perfect day for it, especially since the rest of this week has been shocking weather and wind!

Thanks for all the tips and help guys, I shall put it to good use and try not to fly off a cliff. Cya on the road!

[slinky]

prolly a bit late now - and i haven't read all the thread so don't know if its been said.
But Ear Plugs are a good option, keep out wind noise,
i don't use them but im gona start, cus everytime i get off the bike, i feel a little deaf!

[carver]

i say dont concentrate too hard on the trip..it tires you out.
travel at a relaxed pace, and you wont wind up exhausted.

[Blairos]

Have a safe trip!

I am off to Whangarei & back on Monday, then Wellington via Palmy North on Wednesday, so a few K's to be done between now and New Years...

[chanceyy]

just take it easy out on the road guys ..

remember no rush just get to your destination in one piece

[NinjaNanna]

Hey there,

I will be riding my bike down to Whiritoa on Saturday (That's the next beach down from Whangamata) I'm also planning on riding the Coro loop probably on Tuesday/Wednesday (tbd), give me a call on 0211 904 281 if you and your Dad would be interested in joining me. BTW I ride slow by biker standards, like to push through the corners but stay under 120 on the straights. Personally I can't see the sense in going any faster, fines and loss of points just aren't worth the trade off and the funs in the twisties anyway.

Cheers

NN

[The Big J]

Any speed in Coromandel for next 2 weeks would be risky wouldn't it? With the blue mist pretty thick?

[zeocen]

Well I just got home from a 5 day holiday, what a great ride both ways!

The wind was very timid on the ride to whangamata so it was a good ease into the motorway and then stopping at bombay to fill up and do tire pressure (turns out they were pretty much bang on!), then off we went.. my dad decided to take the road to Miranda as a sort of detour, great scenery!

Until now I never really *got* twisties, mainly because I scared myself shitless on Twilight Road but when I went past the first set of twisties after the Kopu bridge and into Whanga's windy roads, I get it. I've never had so much fun on my bike, so much so that during the days I was there I would put out to Onemana/anywhere and back just to go through them again.

I secretly had a little ride on my old mans ZZR1100, in some quiet streets doing 40 - 60/70kmph, and even at those speeds, boy I tell you.. I can't wait to get my full license after experiencing something with power (albeit a little too much power, I think no more than a 650 for me! hehe).

On the way back this morning was great too, got caught behind a truck in the twisties but I didn't mind much, I was in a cruisey mood. Then back along the straights after Kopu and onto the motorway, never got above 120, never tried. I was happy at 100 in the slow lane for now, I think my ol' gpx thanked me for it too. I saw a big group of bikers going the opposite way just before the motorway, tipped my head to all of them.. I was a bit hesitant to take my hand off for a wave.

Now I'm back with a helmet full of insects and a big, big grin.. sorry for the long post - I just thought I'd let everyone know that the help and advice given didn't go to waste, because I had a bloody blast.

[Mom]

Glad you have had a good time, really there is nothing that beats being out there riding

[bluninja]

Glad to hear you had a blast.

[zeocen]

Hey there,

I will be riding my bike down to Whiritoa on Saturday (That's the next beach down from Whangamata) I'm also planning on riding the Coro loop probably on Tuesday/Wednesday (tbd), give me a call on 0211 904 281 if you and your Dad would be interested in joining me. BTW I ride slow by biker standards, like to push through the corners but stay under 120 on the straights. Personally I can't see the sense in going any faster, fines and loss of points just aren't worth the trade off and the funs in the twisties anyway.

Cheers

NN

Ahh sorry man! I didn't see this post, sorry about that